Setting Straight the Soul Mate

Finally, after a crazy weekend, I’m back to getting the novel written. Yesterday was crazy as well, and my recap that was supposed to go out last night had to be delayed until this morning because while I was writing directly from the episode as it played, Netflix decided to crap out about 8:30 PM and remain out for the remainder of the evening. That means I was up at 4:00 AM finish it off, something that took me another couple of hours.

This means I’m tired and will likely nap as soon as I get home from the coffee shop.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get back to writing as soon as… zzzzz…”

Today I’ve written over six hundred words for the novel, and will probably go well over a thousand before the night is over ’cause I’m feeling like I’m on a roll. And I like this particular scene which is getting into some interesting territory. For now, though, it’s time to bring Annie’s conversation with Berniece Rutherford to an end.

The question that’s come up is “Will Kerry leave home?” and Berniece knows, as does Annie, that Kerry fears abandonment. Annie says that should’t be a problem because he has her. Well, Berneice has an answer for her:

(The following excerpts from The Foundation Chronicles, Book Three: C For Continuing, copyright 2016 by Cassidy Frazee)

“He has you but the reality is you’re only his wife to be.” Berniece leaned slightly forward as she softened her tone. “I don’t mean that with disrespect, because I know what you mean to him: his love for you is tremendous. But his parents exert a tremendous pull upon his psyche, and though they can be inattentive and unaffectionate, they’ve been with him all his life—even more that you. And that’s a difficult attraction from which to leave.

“We know his parents aren’t violent: they prefer being passive-aggressive with him, and he’s learned to adapt. I might even say that he’s still trying to leach out some modicum of respect from them, and that’s going to keep him there for a while.” She cupped her hand over her mouth as she sighed. “For Kerry to leave something traumatic will need to occur—”

Annie turned a smirk upon her guest. “And he can’t have a lot of time to think about the event.”

“You know your future husband so well.” Berniece chuckled. “That’s what I psych profile shows: if Kerry makes up his mind in the first few minutes of something happening, there’s an eighty-eight percent chance he’ll go with his original plan. Give him more than five minute to think about it, and he’ll almost always go the other way.” She shook her head. “It’s how he is.”

“I know all too well.” Annie looked away as her smirk grew tighter. “I try not to influence his thinking—”

“But sometimes you want to shake him and tell him to make up his mind.”

“Exactly.” She looked towards her guest’s cup. “Would you like some more tea?”

“Maybe a little before I go.” Berniece stretched her shoulders. “I’ve never been treated so nice.”

“Well, I did invite you here.” Annie stood and levitated the kettle to her hands, then walked around the sofa towards the kitchen. “I was surprised you agreed to meet.”

“Are you kidding? When I saw your email two weeks ago, I didn’t even give it a second thought: I had to come.” Bernice stood as well and followed Annie towards the small kitchen. “Besides, if I had said no, I knew you’d ask again. And probably again after that.”

Annie set the kettle on the stove and turned on the heat. “I would have, too.” She stepped back and regarded her guest. “Did you determine that from my psychological profile?”

There are some things—” Berniece examined her nails. “—that don’t require a psyche profile.” She dropped her and to her side and smile. “Knowing how you’d react after Kerry returned home was one of those things.”

Annie stared at the kettle and watched the flames lick the bottom. I would have contacted her again—and again a third time. Because what I want, I get…

There you have it: Kerry’s psycho profile indicates that he will leave home, but only if something really bad happens to him, because he’s put up with bullshit for so long he’s used to it. And it’s true that Berniece’s comment isn’t meant as a slam, but Kerry really isn’t coming home to Annie every night wishing her a goodnight and I love you from the other side of the bed, so while they know they’re getting married, they’re still in the “to-be” territory, and Mommy and Daddy are still a huge part of his life. Until they go completely off the rails it’s gonna be hard to convince Kerry to pack up and get the hell out.

So you’ll have to see if Kerr splits this summer. He may be given the opportunity, but at the moment the Magic 8 Ball says “No.” That can always change, but as we’ve seen with Kerry, change can be hard.

Well, he has about three hundred thousand word in which he can make up his mind if he so desires…

4 thoughts on “Setting Straight the Soul Mate”

Hmmph, he can always try…. ie…. choose loveless environment over a future with Annie. He knows a vision is not etched in stone. There’s always a 50-50 possibility that either it happens or it doesn’t. It’s his call.

What happens to a witch’s magic if he/she decides to discontinue his studies ?

What Has Gone Before

Check the Past by Date

I’m running really behind today, so here is the rest of the scene with Coraline discussing the aftermath of “hook up” with the boy from her fight team. And here, as well, you discover why she called herself Nurse Coraline for so long. It’s really logical… (The following excerpts from The Foundation Chronicles, Book Three: […]